Town of Tuftonboro
Meeting of the Selectmen
Monday, November 20, 2006
*Accepted* (changes in bold)
Selectmen present: Chip Albee, Susan Weeks, and Bill Stockman
Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: letter from Joseph Kowalksi regarding fee increases for taping Town Meetings; emails from Brian MacPhee requesting the budget be posted on the website, Coalition Communities providing information on education funding; letter from Attorney Sullivan regarding Marriott burial ground; CDFA memo on housing and public facilities; irrevocable standby letter of credit from Sovereign bank for Zadeda Farms; property transfers on Pickering Place, LC and Raymond Belleneur, Jr., NHDES package on Minimum Impact Expedited Application for White Revoc. Trust, NHDES Standard Dredge & Fill applications for Marriott and Timothy & Noelle Heckman, and NHDES Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit for Ronald & Deborah Harrison.
Items for signature: Notice of Appointment of Officer to Budget Committee for Brian Talbot, Notice of Lien for Susan Harrington, Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for David M. Ray, Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for YMCA of Greater Boston, Abatement for Tucker, Abatement for MacPhee, Lien Discharge for Simmons, Right of Burial Melanson.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. Chairman Albee called the meeting to order. The first order of business was review of the Code Enforcement Officer’s budget.
Jack mentioned that there have been more complaints about logging activities on Lance Williams’s property. There was brief discussion as to whether the activities were in compliance. Selectman Weeks advised that Jack that he needs to tell Mr. Williams that if he is running a business on the property, even though it is allowed he needs to go through the process, i.e., go before the Planning Board first for site plan review, giving neighbors an opportunity to voice their opinion, and then file an application.
The Selectmen began a discussion on the Code Enforcement Officer’s proposed budget for 2007. There was a brief discussion on the need for a new printer and Jack requested that he purchase it this year. Changes to line items included a step increase and a reduction of the Meetings line item expense from $500 to $200, making the total proposed budget $43,812.54. Chairman Albee moved to accept this budget, seconded by Selectmen Stockman, all in favor.
The Selectmen reviewed the 11.13.06 minutes. Selectman Weeks and Administrator Forrester suggested changes. Selectman Stockman then made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Seconded by Selectman Weeks, with all in favor.
Chairman Albee reviewed the mail, noting the letter from Mr. Kowalski, requesting an increase for recording meetings. There was a brief discussion about putting the tapes into a digital format and a question as to how long we need to retain the tapes. Administrator Forrester will check with the Town Attorney. Selectman Stockman then made a motion to accept the increase, seconded Selectman Weeks, with all in favor. Chairman Albee requested a schedule of fees for copies of tapes (should they be requested) from Mr. Kowalksi.
Chairman Albee noted that Town Attorney Tim Sullivan advised that the Marriot burial ground paperwork is in order. Selectman Stockman made a motion to accept Marriot’s request for a burial ground, seconded by Selectman Weeks, with all in favor.
The Selectmen received a letter from Mr. Morrison regarding his services relative to mosquito infestation. The letter will be forwarded to the Town’s health officer.
The Town Administrator gave a report on activities in the past week. She noted the HEB has submitted the revised paving plan for the transfer station and provided sketches to the Selectmen. The proposed area for paving is approximately 2,440 square yards. This information will be conveyed to the Road Agent so that a bid for paving can be obtained. The Administrator advised that two proposals for the Ambulance Contract were received by the deadline, one from Stewart’s Ambulance and one from Lakeside. MedStar did not send a proposal. It was noted that Lakeside’s contract had an error in the proposed fee schedule, but that it was being corrected, and would be forwarded. The Administrator provided updated Budget Calendars to the Selectmen which included adding Elections to the November 21 Budget Committee meeting for review. At the Selectmen’s request, the Administrator has done some preliminary research on bonding and asked if the Selectmen would like a bond presentation scheduled. The Administrator will schedule this.
Waste Management has been contacted and they have agreed to provide a proposal for the solid waste contract, which is due to expire in March 2007, within the next two weeks. The Administrator advised that Cassela has also been asked for a proposal.
Selectman Weeks reported that on Thursday night the Planning Board voted to accept the Master Plan with some grammatical corrections made, and there is a letter going out to Chip Albee about his concerns. Chairman Albee’s concerns centered around language in the Master Plan about ridge lines and designating wetlands and steep slopes as environmentally sensitive property. Future legislation could possibly cause a negative effect if wetlands and steep slopes are designated as environmentally sensitive.
Selectmen Weeks noted that subdivision activity continues in Bellemeur and Greymont properties. There was discussion about connecting two of the roads, so that instead of having three long dead-end roads, there would only be one.
The Selectmen received a letter of concern by the Burnetts about their taxes. Selectman Weeks will work with Jeanie on preparing a letter of explanation.
Selectman Weeks noted there have been complaints from the Moderator and Planning Board Secretary about lighting at the Town House. Selectman Weeks researched different lighting options and presented the information to the Selectmen. The Town House needs 10 light fixtures…Selectmen Weeks will get bids for light fixtures with an antique finish, that compliments the existing structure.
Selectman Weeks advised she had a discussion with Chris Coulter about the need to have ZBA alternates with experience in planning and zoning. Mr. Coulter said that he would be willing to serve on the ZBA again, but could not make a commitment till the first of the year. Selectman Weeks commented that we should have several alternates and recommended Barbara Wood, John Cook, and Betsy Frago. Selectman Stockman recommended John Galvin and Tim Brown, from Cannan Valley. Selectman Weeks made a motion to nominate Barbara Wood, John Cook, Betsy Frago, and Tim Brown as alternates. The motion was seconded by Selectman Stockman, with Selectmen Weeks and Stockman voting “yes” and Chairman Albee abstaining. Notification will be sent to get sworn in by the Town Clerk.
Selectman Stockman had nothing to report, other than the Conservation Commission will be meeting tonight at 7 p.m.
Chairman Albee advised that there will be a Budget Committee Hearing tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Town Offices.
Selectman Weeks left at 4:20 pm for a meeting.
The Fire Department Budget was presented by Chief Thompson and reviewed by the Selectmen. Prior to the discussion, Chief Thompson asked whether he needed approval to provide updates to the website on personnel and apparatus changes. Chairman Albee advised that links to the website needed to be approved.
There was a brief discussion of defibrillators, with Chairman Albee requesting that Fire and Police coordinate their purchase (Fire Department needs 3, Police Department needs 2) and make sure we have the same equipment. Chairman Albee asked whether the Fire Department should be purchasing file cabinets right now with the future move to the new public safety building. Chief Thompson advised that currently they have no fireproof cabinets to store their records and felt that they should have this furniture.
The line item on boat expenses was discussed. Chief Thompson advised that the engine does not need to be replaced as previously thought, but that the problem is the boat is waterlogged and needs to be gutted. The cost for gutting/repairing the boat is approximately $12,000. Chairman Albee asked the Chief to remove the $11,940 from the budget right now and to do some research including getting a value on the boat, what a new boat would cost, and what a used boat would cost.
The training line item increase was discussed. Chief Thompson advised the increase was due to more firemen needing to be trained. Chairman Albee asked whether we could incorporate some type of understanding or agreement with the firemen whereby they would be obligated to stay on for a period of time in exchange for the cost of the training. Chief Thompson and the Administrator will look into this.
Chairman Albee asked the Chief to specifically look at the firefighters allowance, new equipment line, and the boat expense line with a goal of reducing the budget to $278,000.00.
The Selectmen and Chief Thompson agreed to review the Ambulance Contract proposals and the Emergency Management budget at next week’s selectmen’s meeting.
At 5 p.m. the Selectmen entered into a Public Hearing on road names for the transfer station and Merrowvista. Theresa Hlushuk representing the Sargent family, requested that the road into the transfer station be named Sargent’s Crossing. Having heard support from members of the public, Selectman Albee made a motion to name the road “Sargent’s Crossing,” second by Selectman Stockman, with all in favor.
The other road name was to name the spur road off
Meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanie Forrester
Town Administrator